The Rise of the European Emperor

Because it was a very good personal relationship, and Marin knew that the other party would become the Grand Duke of Lithuania and Poland Щщш..lā, Marin attached great importance to the visit of Prince Zigmont and accompanied him in person. He even brought his parents to accompany him at the dinner party.

Prince Sigismund liked the Earl Grey milk tea "invented" by Marin very much. When Marin asked him what he wanted to drink, he chose "Earl Grey Milk Tea" without hesitation. So, Marin took out tea, cane sugar and fresh milk and boiled it immediately.

In order to entertain Prince Sigismund well, Marin asked the chef in the palace to come up with a unique skill and cook a large table of dishes. First up was the medium rare black pepper steak, which Prince Sigismund raved about. To be honest, Lithuania is not short of cattle, it is a big country with cattle. After all, now the Ukrainian steppe is under Lithuanian control. However, the level of cooking skills in Lithuania is also very low now, either roasting or boiling, so the beef is wasted. Marin's steak fried in olive oil is indeed more advanced than the current cooking in Lithuania.

In addition, Marin also served the not-so-authentic beer-roasted duck and white-cut chicken. However, these two dishes also gave Prince Sigismund a hit.

In addition, Marin brought out some truffles that had been frozen from France, and caviar brought back from Italy, carefully marinated by Julius II's royal chef.

These two dishes also strongly attracted Prince Sigismund. Fortunately, Prince Sigismund was well educated and did not overeat. After all, this is a guest out of the house, so you can't be too rude. However, before a meal was finished, he asked Marin for a cook--apparently, he wanted to eat more often in the future...

Marin also had the intention to befriend the future King of Poland, and naturally agreed. Moreover, sending a cook over there can also act as a spy to inquire about the information over there.

When the feast was over, Prince Sigismund reluctantly stared at the unfinished dishes on the table. However, he restrained himself and just glanced at it, only to be seen by Marin.

When returning to the guest room to rest, Prince Sigismund made a decision-take a while in East Frisianland and taste the delicious food here...

After Prince Sigismund left, Marin wanted to go back to rest, but was pulled by the old Hoffmans...

Marin didn't know why, but old Hoffman looked at Marin with fanatical eyes and asked;

"Marin, this Prince Sigismund is a prince of a big country! I heard that he is not married yet?"

"Yes, he is the younger brother of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Alexander. He may inherit the Polish throne and the Grand Duke of Lithuania in the future..." Marin said casually. He knew that Archduke Alexander would burp next year, and then Prince Sigismund would become Sigismund I.

"Really...really?" Marin suddenly noticed that old Hoffman's voice was trembling.

"Of course it's true, why am I lying to you?" Marin felt a little baffled.

However, old Hoffman ignored Marin, and looked at Mrs. Mary tacitly, then nodded in unison.

After a short pause, old Hoffman asked carefully:

"Marin, look, our Annie is a good match for this Prince Sigismund?"

"What? Anne? Dad, are you mistaken? Prince Sigismund is 38 years old, and Annie is only 19 years old, half the age of Prince Sigismund!" Marin almost jumped up.

"What's the difference? It's only 19 years old. Of those kings and dukes, who are not twenty or thirty years younger than their husbands? Moreover, these days, it is not very popular for princes in their thirties to marry teenage wives. Is it?" Old Hoffman said disapprovingly. On the side, Mrs. Mary also nodded, agreeing with old Hoffman's statement.

Marin thought for a while, and realized that what old Hoffman said was true. In this era, aristocratic men often get married in their twenties or thirties (of course there are early marriages, but usually after the age of 20), but most noble girls get married before the age of 20. . If you are over 20 years old, you are definitely an old girl.

Speaking of which, Annie is 19 years old, and it is the best time for a girl. But the old Hoffmans were very worried about Anne's marriage. Although Simon is not yet engaged, the old Hoffmans are not in a hurry. Because it doesn't matter if a boy gets married a few years later, but if a girl doesn't get married sooner, it's easy to be delayed.

But the biggest problem is that the Hoffman family is too special. This family, relying on the sudden rise of Marin a few years ago, and relying on force, changed from a family of knights to a family of counts.

However, the old Hoffmans were only low-level nobles in the past, and did not establish any friendship with those old-fashioned nobles. Marin is on good terms with John II, Duke of Cliff. Unfortunately, John II's son is only 14 years old, so he doesn't match up with Anne. Moreover, John II had already chosen a daughter-in-law for his son—Maria, the only daughter of William IV, Duke of Jülich and Berg. Even, the two sides have already made a marriage contract.

This marriage has brought the Lamarck family a huge benefit - the Lamarck family has changed from owning the Duchy of Clifford and the Duchy of Mark to owning the Duchy of Clifford, the Duchy of Mark, the Duchy of Jülich and the Duchy of Berg at the same time. It is a powerful family of vassal states.

Moreover, these four vassal states were all agricultural states in the Rhine Valley, and they were all relatively prosperous. It can be said that through this marriage, the Lamarck family has made a profit.

Therefore, it is impossible for John II to let his son marry Anne who is five years older. After all, Annie doesn't have a dowry in the country...

Moreover, even John II's second brother, Engelbert, Count of Nevers, was already married and had no children. As for the third head of the Lamarck family, Philip, he was a monk and never married...

Therefore, in this case, it seems difficult for the Hoffman family to find a well-matched big noble family to marry...

Coincidentally, through this banquet, Old Hoffman learned that Prince Sigismund was the younger brother of Alexander, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, so he used his brain...

Although Prince Sigismund is a little older, in the European aristocracy, no more than 40 years old is not too old. No matter how old you are, as long as the title is high, everything is not a problem...

Especially, just after Marin told the old Hoffman and his wife that this Prince Sigismund might become the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, the old Hoffman was short of breath immediately. Even Mrs. Mary, who is usually calm, is a little excited...

"Marin, you said, if we marry Anne to Prince Sigismund, will Anne become the Queen of Poland and the Grand Duchess of Lithuania in the future?" Old Hoffman asked breathlessly.

Marin replied without hesitation:

"Of course, Archduke Alexander's health is not very good, and he may die in a few years. Prince Sigismund's living habits are relatively moderate, and he is in good health. He will definitely inherit the throne. If Anne married, she would definitely become queen... …”

"Then what are you waiting for? Marin, your mother and I have given you a daunting task - we must make Annie marry Prince Sigismund! Our Hoffman family, we want a queen!" Old Hoffman was excited roared loudly.

Looking at the red-eyed old Hoffman, Marin felt that as long as he dared to refuse, the old man might hack himself alive...) !!